ALTON ORGAN SOCIETY (Founded 1967) ♬♪𝄞 Updated Wednesday 5 February 2025

Alton Organ Society's 2024/2025 Season of Organ Concerts
Organ Recitals Nationwide

George Herbert started as Assistant Organist, New College Oxford in September 2024 and we had the pleasure of hearing him perform in this the second organ concert of 2025. It was evident from his programme that we were to experience something special but little did we know we were going to be treated to organ playing of such exemplary and high standard of technique and sheer musicianship. From the opening piece, Buxtehude's Präludium in G minor, George's passion and expertise shone through brilliantly with such clarity. Listening to that piece makes one appreciate how and why JS Bach was so captivated by Buxtehude's genius. As a contrast we heard next Nadia Boulanger's Trois Pièces played with such delicacy and skill. The Boulanger sisters have featured highly on BBC Radio Three so it was a pleasure to hear live Nadia's beautifully composed organ piece. The mere mention of Iain Farrington sends the thrilling anticipation of what composition is to follow. George played to the most extraordinary speed and skill Farrington's "Celebration" and "Conversations" from his album "Fiesta!" To mere mortals it seems an impossible piece to play but George's fingers skirted over those keys with astonishing brilliance. As the page turner, I thought my eyes would dislocate keeping up with the speed and complexity of these two exciting and enigmatic works. Between the two Farrington pieces, we heard George play his own gentle and subtle arrangement of Kenny Wheeler's "The Sweet Time Suite" with such sublimity. The second half of the programme was a major 30 minute performance of Edward Elgar's Organ Sonata in G major op 28. This is a seriously major work full of technical complexity and George remarked it was one of the most challenging and time consuming pieces to register. The result was a masterpiece of organ playing. Many members of the audience really appreciated hearing Elgar in all his composing genius. George remarked that Elgar was somewhat late in completing the composition which was due to be performed in Worcester Cathedral by Hugh Blair in 8 July 1895 as part of the Three Choirs Festival. Having only a couple of days to prepare the piece for its first performance, evidently, it was a bit of a disaster and receive dreadful reviews. I don't know how long George had to learn this piece but his performance was utterly memorable for his professional delivery. I don't believe I have seen so many changes in registrations (some every 3-4 bars) during such a complex musical composition. It was an astonishing experience to witness such a comprehensive performance with so much activity. Later on in Elgar's life this Sonata was scored for orchestra. This was a truly magical performance of such skill and artistic brilliance deeply appreciated by the audience. Attendance was slightly down which is hardly surprising in February. Those who were unable to attend missed a most memorable organ concert of supreme skill and enjoyment. George's programme can be viewed here.

We look forward very much to the third concert in 2025 which will be given by (another newcomer to Alton) Tim Ravalde (Chichester Cathedral) on Tuesday 4 March 2025. His programme can be viewed
here. The concert starts at 8.00 pm and refreshments will be available from 7.30 pm. Admission is £10 (including programme).

David Hill MBE organist and International Choral Director, Patron of the Alton Organ Society and currently President of the Royal College of Organists very kindly recorded a CD on the St Lawrence Church, Alton, organ to celebrate 55 years of the Organ Society and to raise funds for the restoration of the Speechly organ. The music was recorded by Herald AV Publications, a specialist recording company, in October 2022. The CD was launched at St Lawrence Church, Alton on Tuesday 4 October 2022. The CD costs £15 of which £3.00 of the purchase price will go towards the organ restoration fund. David's CD was reviewed by Choir & Organ Magazine and copies of that review and Graeme Kay's article on the Society can be seen here. The CD can be purchased from members of the Society Committee, from Resurrection Furniture in Alton and at the Society's Organ Concerts. For further details and purchase of a CD do use the contact page here.

There is a new website that lists national organ concerts (including those held in Alton) and can be viewed here. Please list altonorgansociety.co.uk & Organ Recitals Nationwide among your favourites.